Ardmore

Ardmore is believed to be the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. It’s also a fishing village quite unlike any other – boasting a Michelin Star restaurant, a magical beach, a cliff walk, five-star hotel and unique links with St. Declan.

It was Declan who first established the fifth-century monastery at Ardmore, and dotted around the village today you’ll find a 30m round tower, the ruins of a 13th century cathedral and an oratory dating from the eighth century… portals to the past in a picture-perfect seaside resort.

Unsurprisingly, the round tower and cathedral are the focal point for Ardmore’s brace of heritage trails - a 5km green route that starts at the monastic site and goes on to circle the cliff walk, and a shorter red route, taking about 20 minutes to complete. The cliff walk is a stunner, taking in an old watch tower, a shipwreck and a World War II lookout in short succession.